COVID-19

Employer Resource Guide: FAQ – Adjustments to FMLA and Paid Sick Leave in Response to COVID-19

*Disclaimer: Robert P. Russo CPA, PC has put together this guide from various resources that are publicly available to help address the many questions we are getting from our business owners. This is not a substitute for professional advice from an employment attorney. We recommend you seek out advice from your employment attorney.

The COVID-19 virus has made fast, drastic changes to how we live and work. State-mandated business closures are creating challenges and generating many questions on how to preserve business continuity during this period. On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which takes effect on April 2. The bill expanded paid sick leave and unemployment benefits, impacting employees and employers, among other provisions.

In an effort to help consolidate the various pieces of legislation and important information from the Department of Labor (DOL), we’ve created a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding unemployment insurance benefits, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the changes made by the FFCRA and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Frequently asked questions included in this document are:

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Families First Coronavirus Response Act — Benefits and Tax Relief

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 18, 2020, will become law 15 days after the signing. FFCRA provides benefits such as paid sick leave, free coronavirus testing, expanded food assistance and unemployment benefits, and requires that employers provide additional safeguards for health care workers. For many, it provides welcome support as employers and employees deal with the extraordinary effects of COVID-19 on the workforce and economy.

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High-deductible Plans Cover Costs for Coronavirus

You can use high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to pay for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related testing and treatment, without jeopardizing their status and you may continue to contribute to a health savings account (HSA).

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Tax Returns and Estimated Taxes Now Due July 15

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. In addition, the payment and return-filing requirements for gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes due April 15 are now due July 15, matching postponements granted to federal income taxes and returns.

Many states have also extended their tax deadlines and payments for a number of taxes in response to COVID-19. Please call for additional information.

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